Urena v. City of New York

Nature of the Order

This is a notice of reassignment and case-management order, not a decision on the claims. The opinion identifies Amaury Urena as the plaintiff and the City of New York and other parties as defendants. It does not explain the underlying claims, the defenses, or the facts giving rise to the lawsuit.

Reassignment and Scheduling

The case was reassigned to United States District Judge Jennifer L. Rochon. Unless the court later orders otherwise, all earlier orders, dates, and deadlines remain in effect. Conferences or oral arguments before, or directed by, a magistrate judge were to proceed as previously ordered. Previously scheduled appearances or conferences before the district court were adjourned pending further notice.

Required Joint Status Letter

The parties were ordered to confer and prepare a joint letter. The defendants were ordered to file the letter electronically and serve it on the plaintiff, who is identified as proceeding without a lawyer, within three weeks after the order was filed. The letter may not exceed four pages.

The order requires the letter to provide, where relevant:

- current contact information for counsel and the plaintiff; - a brief description of the case and principal defenses; - an explanation of why federal jurisdiction and venue are proper; - all existing deadlines and scheduled dates; - any previously scheduled but not yet held court conferences; - descriptions of outstanding motions; - information about pending appeals; - details about discovery completed and discovery still needed for meaningful settlement discussions; - a brief description of prior settlement discussions without exact offers or demands; - the parties’ views on mediation, a settlement conference, or a private mediator; - an estimate of the trial’s length; and - any other information that could help move the case toward settlement or trial.

If the case had already been settled or otherwise terminated, the parties did not need to submit the letter or appear, so long as proof of termination was filed before the deadline.

Other Instructions

The order directed the Clerk of Court to mail the order and Judge Rochon’s individual rules to the plaintiff. The attached rules explain filing, service, discovery, motions, conferences, trial preparation, sealing, settlement, and electronic-device procedures for civil cases, including cases involving a party without a lawyer.

Disposition and Classification

The court did not grant or deny a merits motion, dismiss any claim, enter judgment, or otherwise resolve the lawsuit. It issued case-management directions after reassignment. This is classified as a procedural order.